Tracking Flash Flood Safety

Stay alert to signs of developing weather that might produce flooding. Listen for storm watches and warnings over radio, television or NOAA All Alert Weather Radios.

Be prepared to evacuate your home and move to higher ground should flooding develop near your home.

Know if your home is in a a flood-prone area. If so, have an emergency evacuation plan in advance.

Never drive across flooded bridges or low areas.

Don't try to walk across a flowing stream where water is above your knees.

Never drive across flooded bridges or low areas.

If driving, be aware that the road bed may not be intact under flood waters. Turn around and go another way.

Pitch your camp on high ground, never camp out in or near a stream bed.

If your vehicle stalls in water, abandon it immediately and get to higher ground.Rapidly rising water may sweep away you and your car.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Never allow children to swim or play in flood waters or rapidly flowing streams.

Avoid the banks of flooding streams. These may be softened by the water and collapse without warning.

Watch the roads for flooding at dips, bridges and low areas. if you see flooding, act quickly. If in a ravine, climb straight up the sides. Don't try to outrun a flash flood. You cannot do it.

From the Governor's Division of Emergency Management -

AUSTIN – For the past 30 years, more than 120 people have died each year in floods. In Texas, the National Weather Service reports 15 victims a year. But in 2007, the death toll was 45, due to prolonged flood conditions.

The National Weather Service and the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management are urging people to learn the dangers of driving into flooded roadways. Thirty of the 45 deaths in 2007 involved vehicles in floods. These are the facts:

• Floodwaters can rise rapidly, becoming far more dangerous very quickly as you drive forward.

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. Twelve inches of water will float many cars.

• Two feet of rushing water will carry off pick-up trucks, SUVs and most other vehicles.

• Water may hide a missing segment of roadbed or a missing bridge. Darkness makes it much more difficult to judge the situation.

• Floodwaters weaken roads. Drivers should proceed cautiously even after waters have receded. A road can sometimes collapse under the weight of a vehicle.

The best advice is this: when there's water on the road: Turn Around, Don't Drown.

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